Regional Health Laboratory In Papua Stops Its Service Because 19 Officers Positive For COVID-19

JAYAPURA - As many as 19 officers at Regional Health Laboratory (Labkesda) in Papua have currently tested positive for COVID-19, thus temporarily stopping routine inspection services.

Head of Labkesda Papua Selly Ajawaila said of 44 officers, 19 of them were positive for COVID-19.

The routine service that was stopped was blood tests because many of the officers were exposed, but for COVID-19 examination services, both antigen and PCR were still served.

"Many officers were exposed, including their families, so it was decided to temporarily not serve routine checks and it is hoped that Monday (28/1) will return to normal," said Selly, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, February 22.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Jayapura City Health Office, dr. Nyoman Antari separately said positive cases of COVID-19 continued to experience a significant increase.

As of Monday, February 21, 1,293 positive people were recorded and 156 of them were undergoing centralized quarantine at the Kotaraja Education Quality Assurance Institute (LPMP).

Five districts in Jayapura City have been included in the red category, even from 25 urban villages, 24 of which are also in the red category.

"The public must strictly implement health protocols when they are outside their homes and those who have not been vaccinated should immediately be injected with the COVID-19 vaccine," said Nyoman Antari.